Alternative cookery courses #7

10 January 2013, 11.43 am

Celebrating the person behind the pots ‘n’ pans, the heart behind the hob. The following six schools were established by individuals, we believe, with a passion and desire to pass on their knowledge, skills and love of all things food. From humble beginnings to haute cuisine. Have you been to any of them? Tell us about your experience in the comments box below.

Root Camp’s cause is to equip 13 – 21 year-olds with a real knowledge of food that will set them up for life. Enthusiastic founder, Cassia Kidron established Root Camp in October 2010; an idea borne of panic at the realisation that her teenage son and his friends had no idea how to cook. She has worked with Riverford Organic, is now Duke Of Edinburgh approved and runs residential courses in Fforest Fields, Central Wales – as well as after-school events – jam-packed with hands-on, dirt-beneath-fingernails fun.

The ‘travelling’ involved here is direct to your doorstep, where fully trained chef and passionate Devonshire foodie, James Clark, will arrive to guide enthusiasts through beginner, intermediate or advanced level cookery. Tuition can be one-on-one or for small groups and is tailored to requirements with popular themes including Effortless Dinner Parties, Everyday Family Meals and Fabulous Desserts and Puddings.

Family-run school, Red Hen, found its permanent home in Worcester after strong public demand for Naz and Andy Sanderson’s mobile cookery school and nursery catering service. Their passion and enthusiasm is practically demonstrated during three-hour classes that include Quick and Easy Bread, American Deep South and Cook and Dine – Moroccan. They also offer tuition to children, cookery parties, catering services and venue hire.

School Founder, Tina Moss, runs an impressive variety of cookery classes from her Edwardian family home in Whitchurch, allegedly “the friendliest place to learn how to cook”. Themes include Bread and Pastry, Curry and Spice, Pasta Masterclass and, of course, Great Tastes of Wales. All classes cost £135 and run from 11am to 3.30pm, with everything provided on the day, including recipes, drinks, nibbles and a full lunch with wine.

Perched on the edge of Ashdown Forest, Crowborough Cookery School hosts a small selection of broad-themed classes for adults, children aged 8-12 and youngsters between 12 and 16 years old. Founder, Deb Marquardt, avidly promotes cooking and conviviality, which can be demonstrated in student’s homes or other well-equipped facilities. One-on-one, student survival and other bespoke classes are on offer.

Singaporean chef, Loretta Lui has worked with Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir and now specialises in French Patisserie given a modern, Oriental twist. At On Cafe, she hosts classes that will appeal to those with a taste for the decadent. Macaron tuition come in basic and advanced forms and a French Eclair class teaches students the delicate art of choux pastry-making. Prices hover around the £100 mark for approximately 3 hours. Discover Loretta’s remarkable story on her wonderful website.